The zoonotic potential of reservoirs of leishmaniasis in the Old World.

A 'good' reservoir of leishmaniasis in the Old World is judged according to five criteria: contact with man, chronic susceptibility, good presentation of the disease organism, intimate contact with the phlebotomine sandfly vector and major source of blood meals for the vector. The endemics of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Soviet Asia and of visceral leishmaniasis in the South of France are examined in the light of these criteria. Other special examples of the criteria are highlighted and the exceptions cited. A table lists the present knowledge of the existence of reservoirs of Old World leishmaniasis.